# Universal TV Remote Controller vs TV Remote

The clearest difference is ratings volume: TV Remote at 605K against Universal TV Remote Controller's 637. TV Remote also leads on rating (4.4 vs 4.1) and chart position (#6 vs unranked). On price, review sentiment, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Universal TV Remote Controller sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per 7 days and TV Remote sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

TV Remote holds the better App Store score, 4.4 against 4.1. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: TV Remote has 605K ratings behind it against 637, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 25% of Universal TV Remote Controller's written reviews are positive against 20% of TV Remote's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

Universal TV Remote Controller ships an update every 2 months, TV Remote monthly. The most recent releases landed on August 30, 2026 and September 25, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Universal TV Remote Controller | TV Remote |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.1 (637 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/universal-tv-remote-controller/id1538250188/reviews) | **[4.4 (605K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tv-remote-universal-control/id1539090879/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 637 | **605K** |
| Positive reviews | **25.0% of reviews** | 20.3% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Monthly** |
| Monetization | Freemium | Freemium |
| Best chart rank | — | **#6** |
| Size | 35 MB | 188 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.6 | **15.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [SON TUNG](https://appshunter.io/developer/486079249) | [EVOLLY.APP](https://appshunter.io/developer/1422593523) |

## What reviewers say

### Universal TV Remote Controller

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/universal-tv-remote-controller/id1538250188)

Control your smart TV with your phone. This app automatically scans for devices and offers features like channel switching, keyboard search, and voice control. A premium subscription unlocks all features and removes ads.

**Highlights:** Automatic TV device scanning, Single-tap channel switching, Keyboard and voice search, Swift navigation, Ad-free experience (premium)

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (6)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| WEEKLY SUBSCRIPTION | $3.99 | per 7 days |
| WEEKLY SUBSCRIPTION | $5.99 | per 7 days |
| MONTHLY SUBSCRIPTION | $9.99 | per month |
| YEARLY SUBSCRIPTION | $19.99 | per year |
| YEARLY SUBSCRIPTION | $39.99 | per year |
| One-time Payment | $7.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Works as a replacement when physical remote is lost
- ⭐ Effective for Samsung TV control
- ✅ Functional remote control capabilities

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💰 Aggressive premium paywall and forced upgrades
- 🐛 Frequent connection failures and disconnections
- ❌ App stops working after initial period
- 😤 Excessive ads and harassment for premium
- 🔄 Requires constant app refreshing to function

**Reported bugs**

- App fails to connect to TV devices
- Connection drops frequently
- Volume control unavailable or missing
- Stuck on guide screen unable to exit
- Repetitive TV selection prompts

**Requested features**

- Restore and improve volume control functionality
- Free access to basic remote functions without premium
- Keyboard and search functionality without paywall
- Home button access without premium upgrade


### TV Remote

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tv-remote-universal-control/id1539090879)

**Currently charting:** #6 Top Grossing · Utilities, #8 Top Free · Utilities, #159 Top Grossing (US App Store)

Control your smart TV directly from your phone. Connect via WIFI to manage volume, channels, and navigation with a touchpad and keyboard. Supports major brands like Samsung, Roku, and LG.

**Highlights:** WIFI TV connection, Smart TV detection, Touchpad navigation, Keyboard input, Channel launching, Voice search

**Features:** Family Sharing

**In-app purchases (6)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Weekly Premium | $4.99 | per 7 days |
| Weekly Premium | $6.99 | per 7 days |
| Monthly Premium | $8.99 | per month |
| Yearly Premium | $19.99 | per year |
| Annual Premium | $39.99 | per year |
| Lifetime Premium. | $44.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Connects easily
- 👍 Convenient remote control
- 🔒 Works with multiple TVs
- 👍 Helpful when remote is lost

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🔒 Requires original remote for setup
- 💰 Subscription required for full functionality
- 🐛 Frequent disconnections
- 💰 Expensive subscription
- 🔋 Drains phone battery

**Reported bugs**

- App doesn't recognize TV
- Power button doesn't work
- Volume controls not functioning

**Requested features**

- Allow remote control without original remote
- Offer more free features
- Improve reliability and stability


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Universal TV Remote Controller free?

Universal TV Remote Controller is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is TV Remote free?

TV Remote is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Universal TV Remote Controller or TV Remote?

TV Remote is rated higher. Universal TV Remote Controller averages 4.1 out of 5 from 637 ratings, while TV Remote averages 4.4 from 605K ratings.

### Do Universal TV Remote Controller or TV Remote have ads?

Both Universal TV Remote Controller and TV Remote show ads.

### Which is updated more often, Universal TV Remote Controller or TV Remote?

Universal TV Remote Controller ships an update every 2 months, and TV Remote monthly. Most recently, Universal TV Remote Controller was updated on August 30, 2026 and TV Remote on September 25, 2026.

---

*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*